CC* Integration-Large: Husker-Net: Open Nebraska End-to-End Wireless Edge Networks

中西部缺乏网络和计算基础设施，一直在拉大美国城市和农村之间的数字和经济差距。内布拉斯加州大学林肯分校(UNL)是内布拉斯加州(EPSCoR州)的主要研究型大学，在内布拉斯加州的不同地点开展了广泛的研究活动，包括精确农业、自动驾驶和物联网。现有的无线连接解决方案，例如LoRaWAN、WLAN和商业蜂窝，在覆盖范围、吞吐量、灵活性、成本效益和性能保证方面无法支持该领域的各种研究项目。该项目通过在多个UNL园区的光许可CBRS频谱上设计、部署和运营专用5G网络，勾勒出一种新型的开放式端到端蜂窝边缘网络(Husker-Net)。Husker-Net通过开源模块实现超低运营成本，通过有线和无线回程进行灵活部署(例如，位于内布拉斯加州中部的Leo)，并通过自动无模型算法进行零接触管理。为了实现Husker-Net，本项目将1)设计一种新的融合RAN-Edge-CN模块的RAN-Edge-CN体系结构，其中包括开源的RAN、Edge和CN模块；2)使用隔离的虚拟资源设计新的高性价比的RAN和CN虚拟化技术；3)设计一种新的无模型资源分配算法，通过端到端的网络切片来支持共存的研究项目，并保证其性能。壳牌网络中的衍生解决方案和真实世界操作数据集将是开源的，以促进蜂窝网络的开放性和研究界更广泛的接入。壳牌网络将在ITS的帮助下，支持联合国后勤基地多个部门的10多个研究项目，并与研究与经济发展办公室(ORID)一起继续探索更多的项目。将基于Husker-Net开发一个全校园教育实验平台，为联合国大学的一系列本科生和研究生课程提供服务。Husker-Net将作为评估和测试中西部各州专用网络的模范平台。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The lack of network and computing infrastructure in the Midwest have been enlarging the digital and economic gap between urban and rural America. University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) is the primary research university in Nebraska (an EPSCoR state) and has a broad range of research activities in various locations across Nebraska, including precision agriculture, autonomous driving, and Internet of things. Existing wireless connectivity solutions, e.g., LoRaWAN, WLAN, and commercial cellular, cannot support diverse research projects in the field, in terms of coverage, throughput, flexibility, cost-efficiency, and performance assurance. This project outlines a novel open end-to-end cellular edge network (Husker-Net) by designing, deploying, and operating private 5G network over a light-licensed CBRS spectrum in multiple UNL campuses. Husker-Net is featured with ultra-low operating cost with open-source modules, flexible deployment with both wired and wireless backhaul (e.g., LEO in mid of Nebraska), and zero-touch management with automatic model-free algorithms. To achieve Husker-Net, this project will 1) design a new convergent RAN-Edge-CN architecture with open-source RAN, Edge, and CN modules, 2) design new cost-efficient RAN and CN virtualization techniques with isolated virtualized resources, and 3) design a new model-free resource allocation algorithm to support co-existed research projects via end-to-end network slicing with assured performances. The derived solutions and real-world operation datasets in Husker-Net will be open sourced to promote the openness of cellular networks and broader access by the research community. Husker-Net will support more than 10 research projects across multiple departments at UNL with the assistance of ITS, and continue exploring more projects along with the Office of Research & Economic Development (ORED). Based on Husker-Net, a campus-wide education experimental platform will be developed for serving a series of undergraduate- and graduate-level courses at UNL. Husker-Net will serve as the exemplary platform for the evaluation and testing of private networks for the Midwest states.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.